- is the expression of my logical, philosophical and spiritual understanding.

Oct 28, 2012

PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION

Education is a sacred word
which initiates the process of learning and educating one’s mind. It develops
the power of reasoning, empowers a person to be articulate by channelizing and
dressing up thoughts. It provides tools and techniques to choose words for oral
presentations. A person acquires a body of knowledge in the process of being
educated. It provides an enlightening experience and in the process dispels the
darkness of the mind. It has the divine touch which changes ones perspective of
life the way one thinks and acts in their daily lives. It activates the sense of inquisitiveness to
satisfy reasons behind happenings around us. The process of education creates a
library system in the brain for retrieving the information as and when
required. Education provides ability to analyzing in logical ways and finding
methods of rationalizing illogical thoughts. It also enhances the analytical capacity
of the brain.

Modern
Computer and our brain:

If we define the process of
education in modern computer language then it means that the fields or areas of
study are software which we programme in a hard disk that is our brain. Therefore
the response of the brain depends upon the software loaded in our brain. This software’s
keep running into the file systems made of neurons and axons. The way a
computer cannot respond to our request if the particular file is not present in
the system, the same way we are ignorant of the knowledge of a particular area
which we have not studied. The sharing
of knowledge between different file systems provides us the power of logical
reasoning and in order to do so, related files must be present in our library
system made of neurons. A file or information stored in our brain cannot be
retrieved in time, if the registry or the information’s stored in neurons are corrupt
and needs recovery or defragmentation by way channelizing thoughts and upgrading
the process of thinking.

Now the process of programming our
brain and creating different file systems depend upon the schools and universities
we attend to acquire the knowledge. Every school or group of schools or universities
are different in the world. The subject may be the same but the method of
teaching and imparting knowledge may vary. It also depends on which educational
system puts emphasis on which part of the knowledge. In turn our nature and behaviour is also programmed according to the purpose and programme of the
schools. If it has the purpose to promote social or moral values or scientific
advancements or vocational training's or religious teachings then the entire
curriculum is influenced to suit the knowledge. If the purpose is to promote
hatred or universal brotherhood then the mind gets programmed accordingly. By
the time one reaches high school their brain is already programmed as per the
standard, or curriculum or purpose of the school. The environment in which we
live also makes substantial impact in the programming of our brain.

Education
System:

Once a person goes to university then the areas of specialization starts and the person gets the
certification in those areas of education. In turn the person becomes an expert
in that particular subject. Upon further pursuing of study or specialization by
doing research a person becomes an expert in a specific area of the research
and is awarded a doctorate degree. Since
a doctorate degree or other professional degrees emphasises specialization in
that particular field for the purpose of getting a job or earning a livelihood
depending upon the demand and supply, it may be presumed that a person is void
of other areas of knowledge important for knowing the world and the self.

Furthermore, even after acquiring
knowledge of highest degree, if the effect of the knowledge is not visible in
the person’s personality, action and behaviour then the person may be knowledgeable book wise
but foolish otherwise. He or she remains uneducated as far as the development
of the mind is concerned. The purpose of education is to change one’s nature,
behaviour and perspective of life. It must change radically the way a person
thinks. After acquiring masters or doctorate degrees, if people at large remain
conservative, prejudiced, chauvinist, radical, hypocritical, fundamentalist, fanatics,
unfair, unjust, unreasonable, opinionated, judgmental and intolerant and have other
ills such as anger, ego, jealousy, hatred and behavioral problems, then I think
they are still illiterate and they have studied books of a particular subject to
obtain degree only or for the purpose of name, fame or money.

The
purpose of education:

The purpose of education is not
only to earn a livelihood but to educate the mind to the extent that it helps
people understand complexities of the world and analyze their own true nature for
further improvement. It makes a person more humane, compassionate,
affectionate, tolerant, understanding, open minded, supportive, adjustable,
unselfish, unbiased, giving, caring and benevolent. Besides knowledge of the
subject, truly educated people develop the ability to control their ego, anger,
hatred and jealousy. These people can understand reasons of their being in this
world; they are humble, down to earth and their nature becomes mellow. They
will never brag or showcase themselves. If these qualities are not visible even
after acquiring a masters or doctorate degree, then the person may be educated
from the worldly point of view but may remain uneducated from the personification
point of view.

Education should change people's outlook and how they perceive the world. Their perspicacity of the world and fellow
human beings should set them apart between an educated and non educated being.
However I have also seen enlightened people having no school or university
degrees. My premise behind the above statement is based on my belief that
generally people acquire knowledge or degrees only to earn livelihood and not
to educate and take their mind to higher levels. An educated mind must have a
control on human ills and weaknesses. Majority of uneducated people
have less control on their emotions and behaviour and that is the reason of
hostility between the people and nations around the world. And if these hostile
characteristics or radical thinking is still there even after getting the
doctorate degree then it has been a total waste of the education system and
defies the purpose of education.

Types
of knowledge:

Therefore knowledge or
education can be divided into two parts:

Outer World Knowledge: Knowing the
outside world together with particular subject or subjects and specialize
in that subject in order to earn a livelihood.

Personal interest, demand and
supply, or market economics dictates the selection of a program or vocational
course. Generally every faculty of study is measured in terms of financial
returns. If after the graduation one cannot get a job then the education has no
value. Therefore the purpose of education revolves around the degree of
financial or social success and it may be divided into the following
categories:

Specialization
in a particular subject in order to profess (teachers, professors,
mentors, trainers etc)

Specialization
in a particular area of science or arts to profess or practice
(researchers, scientists, music, dance, drama, theater, skilled persons
etc)

Hence the entire gambit of
education revolves around becoming something so that one can become socially or
financially successful or learn something so that people can understand the
ways of the world and survive. The entire focus is worldly and outward.

Inner World Knowledge: Knowing the
self, who we are and looking deep inside ourselves in order to realize
truth of the life while having a control on our temperament, ego, emotions
and behaviour for making us a better human being.

Difference
between the outer and inner world knowledge:

Our education system teaches us
how to survive in this world and to know and understand the outside world which
we perceive from our five senses, whereas, the knowledge of inner world
empowers us to look within our mind and enjoy the spiritual experiences of
life. The outer world knowledge provides us the understanding of the
surrounding environment whereas the inner world knowledge provides us the
understanding of our inherent nature. The application of outside world
knowledge is full with stress, anxiety and loss of peace whereas the
application of inner world knowledge provides a state of tranquility, calmness
and peacefulness. The outcome of the outer world knowledge is temporary or
lasts until that particular knowledge or vocation is in demand whereas the
inner world knowledge is everlasting. The capacity of the outer world knowledge
is limited and it becomes obsolete with the time or becomes useless once a
person retires from the job or active social life whereas the inner world
knowledge remains with the person and makes the path of salvation clearer and stronger
as the time passes.

One may argue that the
knowledge of inner world cannot provide us meals or means for survival. That
is why I have emphasized the importance of true or real education so that while
getting outer world knowledge, one can explore the inner horizon to fine tune
their nature and behaviour to make them a person of excellence. Without
this any amount of worldly education will not make a person kind, tolerant and
understanding.

Subject
Matter Expert vs. Educated Person:

Generally people get confused
between a subject matter expert and an educated person. A subject matter expert
is an expert in that particular area of knowledge whereas he or she may be
absolutely blank in other areas of knowledge vital for understanding the world
and the environment in which we live. For example, I had a chance to discuss the
subjects of Paranormal activities or subjects which falls
under the purview of the meta-physics or chirology or astrological science with
several educated and socially successful people. I never studied these subjects
in schools or university but my inquisitiveness in knowing the world led me to
make some research. To my dismay their answer has been that they do not
believe. By not having a belief does not write-off the fact that these areas of
study or faculty of science do exists. It is their ignorance that they have not
studied and out of their ego or vanity they do not want to accept their
existence. Unless people are inquisitive enough and have interests in
studying other areas of knowledge and taking their mind to higher levels than
the levels of knowing their own vocation only, it would be difficult to presume
that people have sufficiently tried to educate themselves.

The role of educational
institutions:

My belief on the above reasoning
is further fortified due to the lack of proper education system. Majority of schools and universities including the top ones are focused on teaching students basic or specialized information about outer world knowledge. Very few of
them teach how to look within; how to improve or fine tune personal nature and
behaviour to develop humanely qualities and how to overcome greed, jealousy,
indifference, anger, hatred and selfishness. This is the reason that even after
having a masters, PHD degree or gold medal, people working at high places including
government departments, public and private sectors, have no control on their greed and unsolicited
desire. Many of the so called educated people or degree holders on high positions around the world are rampantly indulged
in corruption, nepotism, racism and favoritism without caring for human values.

The Oxford dictionary defines
education as the process of receiving or giving systematic instruction,
especially at a school or university: a course of education, an
enlightening experience, a body of knowledge while being
educated.

Therefore to sum up, if the
process of education could not bring the enlightening experience and the body
of knowledge does not include knowing the self and intricate sciences
which makes a dominant impact on our lives and if our minds do not go to
higher levels by shunning ego, anger, hatred and jealousy and if we do not
become humble, down to earth, free of all biasness, loving, compassionate and
understanding then an enlightening experience has not taken place and our body of knowledge is also incomplete. Therefore I would categorize ourselves as uneducated degree holders.

I look forward to your valuable
comments for further enlightenment of our minds on the subject.

Now to be humane depends on many factors, some are genetics, like your temperament, others are learned through your family and exposure to the environment, like character and personality. Now to use these factors properly, specially using the concept of "putting yourself in place of the other", will give you solutions to deal with others and thus becoming more humane.

I just would like to emphasize your take regarding universities teaching politics or even law. I have never seen a politician who does not lie! We can even include business studies too, where harsh competition is the key issue, irrespective of the outcome concerning the others. Maybe 50% of what they teach you in selling is acting and manipulating others. Where is the ethics? How come there is no business ethics university? Nobody wants it!

Humane factor is taught theoretically but putting it into practice or practicals are to be carried out by individual. It rightly depends upon genetics. Even that changes with challenges faced and altered perceptions of self in the varying situation. Application of the knowledge and self confidence makes a difference.

Thanks Stephen for asking my take on the topic. In my article I have raised concern about the education system as a whole and the way it is structured worldwide. Lawyers and politicians are products of the same system.

Without teaching ethics and moral values as compulsory subjects right from the stage of elementary to high school, it would be useless to educate people with higher degrees. They may become a part of the blue collar or white collared work force but cannot become a nice human being.

In the absence of these values people become greedy, arrogant, self centered, selfish and inhumane which results in mental strife, creates unrest in personal as well as social lives. And gradually the whole world gets affected.

Ethics and moral values cannot be taught when a person becomes a politician or lawyer but needs to be ingrained or embedded at a tender age. That is the age when programming of our mind begins. This should be continued until high school or university as compulsory subjects focusing on the importance of these values in the making of our personal and social lives. These values help us in focusing inward and looking deep into our character and behavior which may have far reaching effects in our personal and social lives and correct them if necessary.

People may obtain the highest degrees or work at high positions on the basis of these degrees, but in the absence of ethics and moral values they remain illiterate mentally, ethically, morally and socially. That is why I have called them degree holders instead of educated people in my article.

I enjoyed reading your blog today on knowledge of various types and its impact … or lack of impact to ‘changing the way a person thinks’

You have been doing a lot of thinking about this.

Inner World Knowledge: Knowing the self, who we are and looking deep inside ourselves in order to realize truth of the life while having a control on our temperament, ego, emotions and behavior for making us a better human being.

But when I ‘look deep inside our self’ it is not a present picture!

I would contribute the view that it is the soul …. Sometimes referred to as the heart is the origination for thoughts in the mind and actions by the body. ..

The Q is how to change a man’s heart? How to change my perspective?

The God in Bible has a lot to say on how to change a man’s heart. This is the central story line in the Bible.

Ezekiel 36:26-27 (Old Testament) God’s word says: I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh and I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.

The Apostle Paul in the New Testament wrote much on this important topic.

Romans 12:2 - Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Suman – I enjoyed your article. A lot of thought went into writing it.

I appreciate you sending me a copy of your article as the topic of education is certainly an important issue in today’s society and one which affects us all. The objective of education is not merely to take in knowledge but to put into action what one has learned for the betterment of mankind. I agree with you that education should incorporate both technical knowledge and training and instruction in areas involving morality, ethics and humanity in order to provide a more rewarding and enriching educational experience and in terms of personal development and I appreciate your position that educators have an important role to play in this regard.

Once again, thank you for taking the time and effort to write to me and I wish you all the best in the future.

Thanks for the note and article. I went through it. Message you have captured has been enunciated by Swami Vivekananda across the span of his writings where has laid emphasis on man making and character building education for our youth, selflessness and doing work for work's sake. Your article would serve to remind people of that, and set them on the course of introspection and self transformation.

Suman Ji ,Once again thank you so much for the mentally , spiritually uplifting write up.You have taken enormous time and effort to research into the subject and come up with such a thoughtful write up

It is so amazing to see the number of people that we interact in our daily lives and even though they are well educated and professional , yet they lack the very essence of humanism .These individuals by virtue of their skill and education are positioned in high ranking places and the only aim in their lives is to earn more and layout a cushiony and comfortable lives to their families, near and dear ones and yet it's so shameful that they never found time to develop their inner self- which is basically looking into oneself and developing morally and spiritually or I may say holistically ...having said that I have no shame in adding what an example they are setting to their next generation .It is so right to say -"If you want to change the fruits, you will first have to change the roots. If you want to change the visible, you must first change the invisible.”

Let`s not forget that self development is a life long process and its never too late to introspect and transform oneself.

Post a Comment

HOT DISCUSSIONS ON WORD PRESS.

COPYRIGHT

Articles posted on this blog are the original work of the author except citations of recent scientific developments on different topics. Hence, no part of this blog can be copied, reprinted, or published without the express permission of the author. Violators will be dealt with under the various provisions of the international copyright act.

About Me

I am a former banker, financial consultant, and an attorney before the High Court of Mumbai and Supreme Court of India. I have also managed several companies as their CEO and as a management consultant in India, the Russian Federation, USA and Canada. I am also a Certified Management Consultant and a member of CMC-Canada, having interest in writing articles on philosophy, trade & economy and project management.